Tanja Dzamtoska
Expert for sustainable development for
creation of TBR ‘Ohrid-Prespa Watershed’

Aware of the exceptional natural, cultural and economic values of the Ohrid -Prespa region Republic of Albaniatook active role in various activities and projects forthe integral protection and sustainable development of the region during the past decade. The willingness for integral protection and sustainable development while promoting the socio-economic and cultural wellbeing of local communities in the region is stipulated in the trilateral agreement for the Prespa region signed by the three neighboring countries: Albania, Greece and Macedoniain 2010 and the bilateral agreement forprotection of the Lake Ohrid and its watershed signed by the Albanian and Macedonian Governments in 2004 and ratified by the both Parliaments in 2005.

In this context, the establishment the TransboundaryBiosphere Reserve (TBR) within theUNESCO ‘Man and Biosphere’ (MAB) Programme is the appropriate territorialframework to accommodate the existing and future initiatives in relation to regional development integrating the biodiversity conservation and the socio-economic wellbeing of the Ohrid-Prespa region and its local communities, as well as the further promotion of scientific research and environmental educational initiatives.

The first activities for starting the procedure for designation of the TBRaccording the UNESCO MAB Programme was supported by the German financial cooperation with Macedonia and Albania, through the Project “Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Prespa-support to the Galicica National Park”and the same project title for the Albanian Prespa National Park. Both projects are financed by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation andDevelopment via the German Bank for Reconstruction (KfW). The first Regional Conference for “Integrated protection of the Transboundary Prespa Region for establishment of a trilateral UNESCO Biosphere Reserve at Prespa Lake” was held in Ohrid in February 2011, organized in the frame of the KfW project for support of National Park Galicica, Macedonia with support of Macedonian Ministry for Environment and UNESCO office in Venice.

As a follow-up of the realized activities,the Albanian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Administration in a close cooperation the KfW Project “Support to NP Prespa, Albania”team continued the activities for supporting the process for nomination of the TBR‘Ohrid-Prespa Watershed’. Numerous meetings with the stakeholders from the three countries were held, in particular with the protected areas management bodies, municipalities, forest departments, non-government organizations and Albanian and Macedonian Ministries for Environment as well as the UNESCO Authorities.

The received broad support led to the “Declaration of commitment for the creation of a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Ohrid- Prespa under the UNESCO MAB Programme” signed at the 2^ndOctober 2012 by the Albanian and Macedonian Ministers for Environment and Mayors of the communities of the watershed area and the Directors of the protected areas and forestry departments on the territory of the proposed TBR.

Map of TBR ‘Ohrid-Prespa Watershed’

The expressed commitment enabled the continuation of the initiative and starting the preparation of the nomination form. The process started on the bilateral approach between the both littoral countries as laid down in the bilateral agreement which is ratified by the both national Parliaments. Having in mind the important role of the Greek party for the integral approach of the process implementation, the Greek side is cordially invited to join the initiative and the doors are kept open for their participation at any time of their convenience. The overall process for TBR designation is coordinated and led by the Bilateral Secretariat of the Ohrid Lake Watershed Management Committee, which is part of the both Ministries for Environment, with support of UNESCO office Venice, the MAB Secretariat in Paris as well as Macedonian and Albanian National Commissions for UNESCO. The Ohrid Lake Watershed Management Committee is identified as the platform to build the management body of the future TBR.

The form and content of the necessary documentation for TBR nomination are prescribed by the UNESCO authorities.The working group consisted of the KfW Project “Support to NP Prespa in Albania” team leaders, international and regional -Albanian and Macedonian, relevant experts and the Secretariat’ for Ohrid Lake protection representatives from Albania and Macedonia is responsible for implementation of the exacting activities for TBR nomination and compilation of the nomination form for TBR ‘Ohrid – Prespa Watershed’.

The elaboration of the draft Summary part of the Nomination Form as well as collecting all necessary annexes and documents is finalized and it will be presented to the National UNESCO Commissions and all relevant stakeholders for approval in the coming weeks. The elaboration process is in line with the participatory approach for the document creation realized through consultation, meetings and workshops with all relevant stakeholders.

View from the workshops organized in Ohrid on March 4 to 8, 2013

Results of the activities are communicated with defined target groups and promotion activities are permanently implemented in line with the Communication Strategy for TBR ‘Ohrid – Prespa Watershed’ developed in June 2012 and updated in March 2013.

Two study tours will be realized for the purposes of strengthening the cooperation between different stakeholders, public awareness building and transfer of knowledge during the following period. The first one for the media to visit the protected areas in the future TBR and the second, an international study for local authorities visiting the already established Biosphere Reserve in Europe.

The Final Nomination Form is expected to be ready and endorsed by the relevant Albanian and Macedonian Authorities at the beginning of September 2013. The joint nomination form should be presented for evaluation by the responsible UNESCO Authorities in Paristhrough the National UNESCO Commissions for Albania and Macedoniauntil 30^thSeptember 2013.

The Benefits of the TBR ‘Ohrid – Prespa Watershed’ designation can be multiple such as:Improved livelihoods of the local population by the proper implementation of the Biosphere Reserve concept;Improved connection of the existing protected areas in the three neighboring countries by the adoption of common management practices and joint initiatives;Reinforced management of the various aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems by the adoption of a  joint Transboundary Biosphere Reserve management plan;Adoption of a common brand which will reflect the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve identity and give an added value to the local products and services; Offering a platform of cooperation for the various institutional stakeholders (municipalities, universities, centres, etc.) as well as the NGOs and local community; Serving as ‘model region’ for implementing innovative sustainable development practices (e.g. local sustainable energy planning, sustainable tourism in protected areas); Coordinating the request for international supports and offering new opportunities to foster networking activities.

It is a matter of our choice to adopt these values.

Overtaken from newspaper Korca